Hundreds of Muslims feared dead in Myanmar earthquake, mosques destroyed

By Harun Nasrullah

(London, The Muslim News): A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, killing more than 1,600 people, including hundreds of Muslim worshippers who were gathered at mosques for Friday prayers during Ramadan. The earthquake also caused extensive damage to religious buildings, with over 50 mosques reported to be affected, according to the shadow National Unity Government.

Among the survivors, 25-year-old Htet Min Oo, a resident of Mandalay, described his harrowing experience. “I don’t know if they are still alive under the debris. After so long, I don’t think there’s any hope,” he said, recalling the collapse of his house and the mosque next door. Trapped under rubble, he managed to rescue one of his aunts, but two others died, along with his grandmother and two uncles. With no heavy equipment to aid in the rescue, Min Oo struggled to clear the rubble with his bare hands. “There’s too much rubble and no rescue teams have come for us,” he added, his voice shaking with emotion.

The earthquake struck during Friday prayers, intensifying the devastation as worshippers were inside mosques at the time. One 39-year-old resident of Mandalay described the scene at a collapsed mosque in Sule Kone village: “I had to leave him behind… I went in a second time to try to save him,” he said, recounting the tragic deaths of several people. “I retrieved four people with my own hands. But unfortunately, three were already dead, and one died in my arms.” According to the resident, 10 people died at this mosque, and 23 others died in the destruction of three mosques in the village. He noted that government restrictions had prevented these mosques from being upgraded, making them more vulnerable.

Muslims in Myanmar, a minority in a predominantly Buddhist nation, have long faced marginalisation and repression. Over the years, ultranationalist groups and extremist monks have incited violence against Muslim communities. The Rohingya, a large Muslim minority, have been particularly affected by mass displacement and persecution. Additionally, Myanmar’s authorities have historically made it difficult for Muslims to repair or build mosques. A 2017 U.S. Department of State report highlighted that many historic mosques have fallen into disrepair due to restrictions on routine maintenance.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Buddhist structures were also severely damaged. The military government reported that 670 monasteries and 290 pagodas were affected. However, the official damage report did not mention mosques. One resident, Julian Kyle, appealed on social media for heavy equipment to help lift concrete pillars after a mosque in Mandalay was destroyed. “Underneath the rubble, my family members and others were crushed and lost their lives. We desperately want to recover their bodies,” he posted.

The earthquake has raised concerns about the safety of older religious structures, with reports indicating that some mosques are over 150 years old and have not received the necessary permits for repair or renewal due to strict government regulations. The collapse of these historic mosques has further deepened the tragedy.

The full scale of the disaster remains unclear, particularly in remote areas where communication infrastructure has been severely disrupted. While the official death toll stands at over 1,000, the number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Many regions remain inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges, further complicating relief efforts.

Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in the affected regions and is coordinating rescue operations, but the situation remains dire. With many areas still cut off, international aid is beginning to trickle in, but volunteers on the ground have expressed concerns about the complexity and severity of the disaster. “That request must trickle down to immigration and customs, so nongovernmental organisations like ourselves can get the immediate aid in there,” said Harry Roberts, a Bangkok-based volunteer. “At this stage, it’s largely about gathering information and assessing the accessibility into the country.”

[Photo: Myanmar Fire Services Department continues emergency search and rescue operations continue after strong earthquake of 7.7 magnitude rocks in Sagaing, Central Myanmar on March 28, 2025. Photographer: Myanmar Fire Services Department/AA]

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